768 ETHYL. 



examined. The oxide of gold is also strongly acted on by mer- 

 captan, but other metallic oxides are less affected in proportion 

 as they approach to alkaline bases. Thus the hydrates of potash 

 and soda have no sensible action on mercaptan. 



By contact with nitric acid, mercaptan is converted, by a 

 gentle heat, into a new acid, which contains sulphuret of ethyl 

 and the elements of sulphuric acid, C 4 H 5 S 2 O 2 . (Lcewig, 

 Kopp). 



Bisulphuret of ethyl, C 4 H 5 S 2 =ES 2 , is a transparent oily 

 liquid, boiling at 123.8 (51 cent.), obtained by distilling a mix- 

 ture of the double sulphate of ethyl and potash and the persul- 

 phuret of potassium. It is decomposed by caustic potash and 

 by nitric acid (Zeise, Pyrame Morin). 



Seleniuret of ethyl, is obtained, according to Lcewig, in the 

 same way as the sulphuret, substituting in the process seleniaret 

 of potassium for the sulphuret of potassium. 



Telluret of ethyl, obtained also by a similar process, using the 

 telluret of potassium ; a very volatile liquid, of a deep orange 

 colour (Wcehler). 



Cyanide of ethyl, hydrocyanic ether, C 4 H 5 -f NC 2 =ECy, ob- 

 tained by Pelouze by exposing a dry mixture of sulphate of 

 ethyl and potash to a gentle heat, which is gradually increased. 

 It is a colourless liquid, with an insupportable odour of garlic, 

 boiling at 179.6 (82 cent.), and of which the density is 0.7. 

 Sulphocyanide of ethyl has also been formed by distilling a mix- 

 ture of sulphocyanide of potassium, alcohol and sulphuric acid. 

 It is an oily, very dense liquid. 



SALTS OF OXIDE OF ETHYL, OR SALTS OF ETHER. 



Ether does not combine directly with acids, but these salts are 

 obtained by the action of acids upon alcohol (hydrate of ether). 

 The neutral salts of ether are distinguished from inorganic salts 

 by the circumstance that neither the acid nor oxide of ethyl can 

 be replaced by double decomposition, at the ordinary tempera- 

 ture, by another acid or base, when the salt of it is mixed with 

 another salt ; the alcoholic solution of the oxalate of ether, for 

 instance, not being precipitated by an alcoholic solution of chlo- 

 ride of calcium. These salts are decomposed by the alkaline 

 hydrates, particularly when assisted by heat, their base attach- 

 ing itself to the water of the alkaline hydrate, and coming off as 

 alcohol, while their acid unites with the alkali. Several of these 



